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Lunenburg Phillies ready to begin CNEBA title defense

By Matt Stewart, Correspondent

Updated:
05/24/2014 06:50:25 AM EDT

Lunenburg Phillies shortstop Alex Heroux gets a hit during a 2012 exhibition against the Brooklyn Bonnies at Marshall Park in Lunenburg. Heroux could miss the entire season due to injury. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE

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LUNENBURG -- The Lunenburg Phillies had a postseason run for the ages last year, winning their first Central New England Baseball Association title since the mid-1990s.

The 2014 team returns most of its core, and also added some potential impact players, which should bode well for a strong chance of a repeat.

The Phillies will open up the regular season today at Marshall Park against the Worcester Pirates at noon.

"It was a great postseason, and the championship game was probably the most fun game I've been a part of in the last 30 years," Lunenburg head coach Joe Ruth said. "We had to incorporate 12 newsguys last year, and this year we have almost everyone back and we're adding nine new guys. This is probably the deepest team that we've ever had, in terms of the amount of talent on the bench."

The Phillies are a mix of veteran players and a growing contingent of top-level young talent. There are a host of position battles under way, and the biggest challenge for Ruth isn't filling gaps in the roster, but rather finding a way to balance all of that playing time.

"I told the team that we have two goals, win games and get guys playing time, in that order," Ruth said. "We've been pretty good at getting guys playing time. Over the years only a few guys left because of it, but it's rare."

The Phillies had a big question mark at third base heading into last season.

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Surprise newcomer Jon Belliard not only filled the void, but became one of the team's most accomplished players. Belliard is back this year for his second season, and looks to be the Phillies' offensive leader.

"(Belliard) loves to play and is a great player, and I'm hoping he plays until he's an old man," Ruth said. "His enthusiasm is contagious, he's a great teammate, and you want a whole team with guys like him. He was Rookie of the Year, MVP, and probably the best player in the league (last season)."

Lunenburg's pitching lifted it to a championship last year, and the starting rotation will have a lot of familiar faces. Jim Balboni returns and will get the opening-day start. Veteran Jeff Swedberg, who has been a regular starter for several years, will see similar time on the mound. Matt Morissette returns after pitching nine innings in the decisive third game in the championship, and Justin Roberts is another starter-caliber player.

"I've got nine pitchers, and most of the guys aren't actively pitching in college," Ruth said. "Besides Balboni and Swedberg, it's a little up in the air about who will start. We could use two or three guys a day, just to get guys involved early."

The Phillies have some reliable veteran bats in Pat Gilman, Frank Yavorosky and Steve LaJoie, who drove in the game-winner in the championship contest. Second-year player Connor McDavitt looks to continue his success after a strong debut season.

"We have 14 or 15 deep who are really good position players," Ruth said. "I've got to figure out how to keep everyone happy and still win ballgames at the same time."

There are a host of newcomers who will undoubtedly make an immediate impact. Outfielder Steve Drury joins the team after being named MASCAC Rookie of the Year for his outstanding play at Fitchburg State University. Eli Sanchez will provide a big spark in the middle infield, and Belliard's cousin, Marcos Belliard, provides a good option at catcher and middle infield. A couple of local additions should bode well, too, with Sean Mullaney and Tim Sargent joining the squad.

Possibly the highlight of the incoming recruits is pitcher Dylan Pond, a Hubbardston native who played for Quinsigamond Community College.

"Pond is a left-handed pitcher who's a big kid that throws absolute gas," Ruth said. "He's also a strong hitter, and he hit the ball about 450 feet in an exhibition game. He's got two years of eligibility left for college and should get picked up if he decides to."

Key departures include Anthony Deleo, Andy Ruth and Dave Beck, while Kevin O'Connor may instead be playing with the Wachusett Dirt Dogs. Alex Heroux could miss the entire season with an injury.

In addition to the league slate, there are some interesting non-league exhibition games on the way. On July 25 the Phillies will play the Taiwanese national team, the best amateur baseball team in Taiwan. The annual matchup with the Brooklyn Bonnies will take place on July 5.

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